NFL analysts: Patrick Peterson is league’s top cornerback

Richard Sherman called himself the best corner in the game after the 2014 NFC Championship Game, but now, Patrick Peterson might have him beat.

In a recent vote by NFL analysts, the Seahawks defensive back won ‘silver medal’ and was the top pick by many pundits as the league’s best corner. Still, the Cardinals’ Peterson took home the gold, securing 12 first-place picks of 21 panelists.

In 2015, Peterson had 33 tackles, eight passes defensed and two interceptions as the 13-3 Cardinals’ No. 1 corner. Through five seasons, the LSU alum has 17 interceptions and 58 passes defensed in 80 games.

Sherman, meanwhile, is also a five year NFL veteran. Out of Stanford, the 28-year-old had 14 passes defensed and two interceptions last season.  Since 2011, Sherman leads the NFL in interceptions with 24, while tied for second is Peterson with 15.

A multitude of writers and broadcasters submitted their picks for the league’s first-, second- and third-best cornerbacks and explained their selections. Here are the ballots for each analyst that picked Peterson first:

NFL.com senior analyst Gil Brandt:

Gil Brandt: 1) Patrick Peterson 2) Richard Sherman 3) Marcus Peters
Peterson has the ideal size and speed for the position. He’s the only defensive player in NFL history to make five Pro Bowls before turning 26. I don’t think anybody in the NFL is better than Sherman at locking down one side of the field; his teammates feed off him. Peters was tested as a rookie and passed with flying colors. There’s no reason to think he can’t be even better in 2016.

NFL Network’s Charley Casserly:

Charley Casserly: 1) Patrick Peterson 2) Josh Norman 3) Richard Sherman
Despite what Josh Norman says, there is no Champ Bailey, Darrell Green or Deion Sanders in this group. Peterson has been the most consistent all-around player at the position recently. Norman is a physical press CB. Meanwhile, Harris gets overshadowed by his teammate, Aqib Talib, but is still a better pure man-coverage CB.

NFL Network analyst and former NFL wide receiver Nate Burleson:

Nate Burleson: 1) Patrick Peterson 2) Josh Norman 3) Richard Sherman
Peterson is the most athletic corner in the league, while Norman’s make-up speed and length keep him in every play. Sherman is a smart player and that — combined with his other attributes — gives opposing receivers fits.

NFL Network and NFL.com analyst Elliot Harrison:

Elliot Harrison: 1) Patrick Peterson 2) Darrelle Revis 3) Jason Verrett
Patrick Peterson has come a long way over his five-year career and is no longer overvalued at corner. He often sticks with the No. 1 receiver, as opposed to being a cog in a system. He is also a team leader in Arizona. Many are anticipating the decline of Darrelle Revis. Maybe he had an off year in 2015, but I am not ready to put him out to stud just yet. Jason Verrett is an oft-forgotten fantastic player in San Diego — have a feeling about him this year.

NFL Network analyst and former NFL fullback Michael Robinson:

Michael Robinson: 1) Patrick Peterson 2) Richard Sherman 3) Chris Harris Jr.
Peterson is very physical and aggressive. He wins matchups against the league’s top receivers, week in and week out. Sherman’s length and intelligence allow him to consistently make plays. Harris played a vital role in Denver’s championship campaign, and he doesn’t shy away from challenges.

NFL.com fantasy football analyst Marcas Grant:

Marcas Grant: 1) Patrick Peterson 2) Chris Harris Jr. 3) Richard Sherman
The title of top shutdown corner in the NFL has traded hands quite a bit over the last few years, but right now, it belongs to Peterson. This time next year, this list could be completely rearranged.

NFL Media analyst/host Dave Dameshek:

Dave Dameshek: 1) Patrick Peterson 2) Richard Sherman 3) Darrelle Revis
With our national obsession over “elite QBs” shifting to “shutdown corners” the last couple years, “Pat Pete” has emerged as the best CB in the game. Sherman deserves credit for proving doubters wrong by “traveling” all over the field with opponents’ best WRs in ’15. And I know Revis wasn’t great last year … but he deserves at least one year’s worth of benefit of the doubt.

NFL.com columnist and radio host Adam Schein:

Adam Schein: 1) Patrick Peterson 2) Richard Sherman 3) Josh Norman
Calais Campbell compared Peterson to Deion Sanders in his prime on my CBS Sports Network show, “Time to Schein.” Enough said.

NFL.com fantasy football analyst Alex Gelhar:

Alex Gelhar: 1) Patrick Peterson 2) Richard Sherman 3) Josh Norman
Peterson’s performance in 2015 — after being diagnosed with diabetes, following a substandard 2014 campaign — re-established him as the game’s top corner. Sherman proved he could shadow No. 1 WRs in 2015, adding to his résumé, while Norman is a solid bronze-medal winner.

NFL.com writer Kevin Patra:

Kevin Patra: 1) Patrick Peterson 2) Richard Sherman 3) Desmond Trufant
I’m more bullish on Trufant than most.

NFL Network’s Eric Davis:

Eric Davis: 1) Patrick Peterson 2) Richard Sherman 3) Chris Harris Jr.
Peterson can match up against any receiver in the league, and if the ball touches his hands, you have to be concerned about his ability to score. Sherman is one of the best players on a defensive unit that’s been in the top two for the last three or four seasons. Harris has posted three good seasons in a row. He doesn’t give up touchdowns and gets his team off the field on third down.

NFL Network analyst and former NFL offensive guard Jamie Dukes:

Jamie Dukes: 1) Patrick Peterson 2) Darrelle Revis 3) Richard Sherman
Peterson clearly had the best year of all the league’s corners. Revis is still playing at a high level despite his injuries. Sherman has been a top-tier corner on a consistently great defense.

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